Good morning, Hattiesburg.

Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill creating an Office of Apprenticeships to double active participants statewide from 3,500 to 7,000.

Community colleges and industry partners will boost programs in fields like healthcare and IT to help residents gain needed skills.

William Carey University broke ground on phase one of student housing at its Tradition campus on Wednesday.

The $3.2 million project will build a six-unit townhome to house 24 students, with further phases planned (depending on demand) and completion set for fall 2027.

The Mississippi Department of Education released 2026 accountability grades for Pine Belt schools today, showing a wide range of reading, math, and science scores.

Columbia High School and Seminary Elementary earned high marks while other districts faced challenges that will guide future improvements.

Near Space Labs launched five high-altitude flights in August mapping coastal erosion along Mississippi and Louisiana barrier islands.

The data, unveiled Wednesday at Gulf Blue (USM partnership), shows islands erode at least 15 feet a year and will help officials plan restoration and storm damage measures.

Near Space Labs used high-altitude imaging from 45,000 feet to find that Mississippi and Louisiana barrier islands are eroding at least 15 feet each year—results shared Wednesday at Gulf Blue headquarters in Gulfport will help local officials monitor shoreline change.

NOAA released a winter outlook predicting a wet season for Mississippi with near-normal temperatures—though a cold front this weekend may bring cooler air.

Forecasts suggest more rain than usual statewide.

Forrest County issued a burn ban from Oct.

15 to Oct. 31 because dry weather and high winds raised wildfire risks. County firefighters fought several fires recently and officials will review conditions at the month’s end to decide on extending the ban.

Hattiesburg Fire Station 2 reopened on Oct.

15 on Edwards Street nearly a decade after a tornado destroyed its original building. The modern facility includes updated safety measures and is better located near William Carey University to improve response times.

Senate candidate Scott Colom's ad 'pick another senator' went viral online after receiving nearly 3 million views over 36 hours.

The 28-second video targeted incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith for her comment on rising beef prices ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

State health officials met Wednesday to report progress on free breast and cervical cancer screenings—a drop in congenital syphilis and lower pertussis rates—and to develop a new MSDH webpage for food recalls.